New and distinct variety of geranium named Veronica

ABSTRACT

A new geranium cultivar is distinguished by its brilliant color, short and compact plant, more basil branching, close internodes, small leaves and short flower stems with the flowers positioned immediately atop the foliage.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium hortorum, Bailey known by the varietal name of Veronica,formerly known as Purpurball. The new variety is a seedling resultingfrom the cross of the seed parent J-line of Adonis and the pollen parentJ-line of Adonis.

The new cultivar was discovered in the year 1977 in Dresden, GermanDemocratic Republic; was first asexually reproduced by cuttings inDresden, German Democratic Republic and has been repeatedly asexuallyreproduced by cuttings at Oglevee Floral Company in Connellsville, Pa.over a three year period. It has also been trialed and field tested atNorthwestern Washington State Experimental Station in Mt. Vernon, Wash.It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics throughsuccessive propagations.

The new cultivar, when grown in a greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa.,using natural light and 62° F. night temperature and 70° F. daytemperature, has a response time of six weeks from a well rooted cuttingto a flowering plant in a four inch (10 cm.) pot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new cultivar, thecolor being as nearly true as possible with color illustrations of thistype.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed descriptions set forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected from asexual reproductions carried out by the Oglevee FloralCompany in Connellsville, Pa. The plant history was taken on six weekplants, blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse and color readingswere taken indoors under 100 foot candles of cool, white fluorescentlight. Color references are primarily to The RHS Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London.

THE PLANT

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium hortorum, Bailey.

Commercial.--Zonal geranium.

Form: Bush.

Height: 14 to 20 cms. (17 cms. avg.) as a 4 inch pot plant excludingbloom and 24 to 30 cms. (27 cms. avg.) as a 4 inch pot plant includingbloom.

Growth: Short and compact plant with more basil branching, closerinternodes and smaller leaves as compared with common zonal geraniums.

Strength: Very sturdy and not susceptible to wind and rain damage.

Foliage: The quantity of foliage is of below average abundance.

Leaves:

Size.--10 to 12 cms. across.

Shape.--Reniform with oblique base.

Margin.--Crenate.

Texture.--Leathery and pubescent.

Color.--Upper side Green Group 137A; under side Green Group 138B.

Ribs and veins.--Palmate.

Petioles: 10 to 12 cms.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow Green Group 144B.

Internodes.--Very short, on the order of 1 cm.

THE BUD

Shape: Umbel formed with approximately 50 florets.

Size: As bud develops to color shown, head size is 3 cms. in diameterand it opens into a head size of 10 cms. in diameter.

INFLORESCENSE

Blooming habit: Continuous throughout the year.

Size: About 10 cms.

Borne: Singly in an umbel form.

Florets:

Form.--Flat with very little cup-shaped and symmetrical in shape withsmooth edges.

Petals.--7 to 8 in number plus 6 to 7 petaloids; upper side Red-PurpleGroup 58B; under side Red Group 52B.

Size.--3 to 4 cms. across.

Throat color.--Base of petal Orange-Red Group 33C which appearsgenerally on top three petals. All florets have throat which includes ablotch of coloring, Red-Purple 66B.

Texture and appearance.--Firm and satiny.

Petaloids:

Quantity.--6 to 7 in number.

Shape.--Small and twisted.

Color.--Same as florets.

Pedicel:

Length.--1 to 2 cms.

Peduncle:

Length.--12 to 20 cms.

Persistence: Nonshattering flower.

Disease resistance: Average to slightly better to Botrytis.

Lasting quality: On the order of three weeks.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Anthers.--Approximately 8 arranged cylindrical and carried at a heightshorter than the stigma.

Filaments.--Pure white to red at the tips; 0.6 cms. in length;flattened.

Pollen.--Yellow in color.

Pistils:

Number.--1.

Length.--1 cm.

Stigma.--5 arms reflex back; reddish in color.

Style.--White.

Ovaries: Green; 5 carpels.

Fruit: Nonfertile.

The new cultivar is characterized by its brilliant color and a short andcompact plant. There is more basil branching and close internodes andsmall leaves as compared with the standard bush zonal geraniums producedin the United States. A short flower stem positions the flowerimmediately atop of the foliage into the plants and renders the plantvery resistant to wind and rain damage. The red coloring is accentuatedby the purple blotch in the throat and the orange-red color whichappears on the base of the upper petals.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of geranium plant substantiallyas herein shown and described.